This summary presents highlights of "The Cost Burden to Minnesota K-12 when Children Are Unprepared for Kindergarten" [ED511612]. A number of studies document the long-term public and societal benefits of early childhood education, including the reduced costs associated with child welfare, public assistance, crime and incarceration, and the benefits related to increased education and earnings. Several studies specifically measure the cost-benefits of early childhood interventions on special education spending. The study summarized here, commissioned by the Bush Foundation, focuses on the financial costs within the Minnesota K-12 system as a whole due to children entering kindergarten unprepared for school success. The study scope does not include costs or benefits for the child, family, or society. It charts what the benefits and cost savings would be for the K-12 system as a whole as a 3-year-old cohort moves through their K-12 education. This study found the estimated cost burden to the Minnesota K-12 system due to children entering kindergarten unprepared for school success is about $113 million annually.